My job allows me to come into frequent contact with parents and students
from various nationalities and social classes. These foreign students have different personalities, lifestyle and learning attitudes.

Being role models

As the saying goes, “Like father, like son.” This shows that in one way or another, the words and deeds of parents, including their outlook on life, influences the development and future of their kids.

Having wholesome values and perspectives are key to successful upbringing. Through their daily deeds, parents must present themselves responsibly in order to groom their kids. They have to make suggestions or suitable requests according to situations and improve the home learning environment. I n short, raising happy, healthy and intelligent kids requires happy, healthy and intelligent parents.

Discovering their nature

The purpose of education is to help a child realize his potential. I ntelligent parents will know how to work with their kids to uncover their innate character.

If a child is shrewd and ambitious, he or she could grow to become an outstanding talent in certain domains. But this child may suffer from setbacks and pressure from being too overtly career-focused. Hence, parents will have to caution the child not to let ambition dictate life. Let the child understand that life is not perfect and one has to learn how to seize and let go.

If the child has a happy-go-lucky personality and does not take things seriously to heart, parents may have to pay attention to how he or she is too easily satisfied. This child may be too lacking in ambition and self-improvement, which may lead to a destiny of being confined in the lower stratum of society. Parents will need to input motivation into this child.

Everyone is unique with a set of good and bad qualities. Smart parents will help their young ones develop their strengths after uncovering them but allow space for children to ponder and imagine too.

Working with nature

We all have limits and this applies to educating the young as well. Kids should not be treated as rocks at the disposal of sculptors. P arents have a duty to unleash their good qualities and curb the bad ones.

By taking the characteristics of the child into account, nurturing a child would be a much easier task. Trying to mould a child into something that goes against her nature is foolish haughtiness.

From tying shoelace to safe-crossing roads, every attempt at something new is a step towards independence. The phrase “solving problems” has a deeper connotation. I t inculcates the young into believing that all problems can be solved.

Whenever a child encounters problems, be it a squabble with mates or having difficulty in piecing a puzzle, a parent can help the child with the following:
1. Analyze where the problem lies.
2. Let the child come up with solutions.
3. Break down the procedure of carrying out the solutions.
4. Judge if the child can manage to do it on his own.
5. Be earnest in giving support.
6. Allow the child opportunities to shine.

All kids have their talents and interests. Why not indulge them? I f your child loves reading, let him read you a story as you prepare meals. I f your child has a passion for numbers, let her tabulate the bill when you bring her grocery shopping.

By showing an interest in your child’s interest, you greatly boost her confidence and esteem. When a confident child feels assured regularly, it is inevitable that she will be happy, healthy and intelligent.

Shen Shanny, mother of two

text originally written in Chinese